This wine was first produced in 1996 and represents a selection of organic Sangiovese from a high-elevation site (at around 500 meters above sea level) characterized by labor-intensive Pietraforte and sandstone soils that are only found on the upper ridges of Panzano. Fruit has been drawn from this site exclusively since 2013, and the wine will become a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione soon (although it was not produced in 2017). Fruit for the Gagliole 2016 Pecchia is fermented in barrique and aged for 18 months (in both second-use barrel and some stainless steel). It also rests in glass for two years. This is a gorgeous and extremely elegant wine, with a firm backbone and delicate layers of fruit and spice. A salty mineral note underlines the wine's freshness and brightness. The name Pecchia comes from honeybees that "poke" the berries looking for sugar. I think we can expect this wine to get even better now that the new winery is up and running.